When things aren’t going well, the best is to discuss them thoroughly. Hansi Flick and his coaching staff carefully planned the week and, after granting two days off following the derby loss against Girona, met with the players on Thursday for a candid talk.
The discussion continued on Saturday before the Barça-Levante match to address sporting and ethical issues. Flick has planted the seed for the team to become recognizable again and aspire to win everything.
The coach admitted that after two defeats doubts arose in the squad, and his job is to convince them again while maintaining the style that identifies his Barça. He emphasized that open communication is vital during difficult moments and that everyone at the club wants to win.
Flick explained that the meetings were both collective and personal, speaking with many players about how they want to play and stressing the need to play with the right mentality and hunger. He stressed the importance of leaders taking responsibility.
He discussed the football issues, such as losing possession in the final third and lack of intensity defensively. According to Flick, the team needs to act as one, staying connected to pressure effectively and regaining that lost intensity on and off the ball.
Flick confirmed he is very focused and sees this as a great opportunity. He mentioned some players like Rashford are returning to full fitness, while Pedri and Gavi are improving.
Regarding the presidential elections, Flick said they do not affect the team’s functioning despite all the rumors and market activity. He humorously pointed out that the president has missed the last two games, which Barcelona lost, joking it might be related.
